Lesson Plan
Motivation Makeover Plan
Student will collaborate with the teacher to identify personal interests, co-design a reward menu of preferred reinforcers, and learn to use a behavior tracker to earn and record rewards.
Tailoring motivators to a student’s own interests boosts engagement, fosters positive behavior, and builds self-management skills by giving the student ownership over rewards.
Audience
4th Grade Student
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Collaborative discussion and preference-based menu building
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print copies of My Reward Menu Worksheet
- Review the structure and scoring of the Behavior & Reward Tracker Rubric
- Open and cue up slides in the Incentive Innovation Slide Deck
- Gather pens or markers for the student
- Familiarize yourself with the student’s recent behavior data
Step 1
Warm-Up & Purpose
5 minutes
- Greet the student and set a positive tone
- Introduce the session goal: co-creating a personalized reward menu
- Show Slide 1 of the Incentive Innovation Slide Deck to frame the discussion
- Ask the student to share one thing they enjoy doing after school
Step 2
Interest Exploration
10 minutes
- Display Slides 2–4 of the Incentive Innovation Slide Deck
- Present multiple categories (e.g., toys, activities, privileges)
- Have the student list or circle their favorite items under each category on the My Reward Menu Worksheet
- Encourage the student to pick their top 8 preferred rewards
Step 3
Menu Creation
8 minutes
- Review the student’s top 8 selections together
- Guide the student to classify rewards into small, medium, and large tiers on the My Reward Menu Worksheet
- Discuss how many points or tokens each tier might cost
- Confirm the final menu is meaningful and achievable
Step 4
Tracking Plan
5 minutes
- Introduce the Behavior & Reward Tracker Rubric
- Explain how the rubric will be used: logging target behaviors, recording points, and redeeming rewards
- Model filling in one row of the rubric with a sample behavior and reward redemption
- Ensure the student understands when and how they will check in to update the tracker
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
2 minutes
- Summarize the personalized reward menu and tracking plan
- Ask the student to restate one favorite reward and how they’ll earn it
- Schedule the next check-in session to review progress
- Provide positive reinforcement and thank the student for collaborating
Slide Deck
Your Motivation Makeover
Welcome! Today, we will co-create a personalized rewards menu based on your interests. Get ready to pick and design rewards just for you!
Greet the student warmly. Explain that this slide introduces the session’s goal: creating a fun, personalized reward menu. Ask the student to share one thing they enjoy doing after school.
Reward Categories
- Toys & Trinkets
- Games & Activities
- Privileges & Breaks
- Treats & Snacks
Which category do you like the most?
Display the four categories. Guide the student to think about items or activities they enjoy in each category. Encourage them to circle or note favorites on the My Reward Menu Worksheet.
Reward Examples
Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:
- Toys: fidget spinner, stickers, small toy car
- Activities: extra art time, reading aloud, recess game
- Privileges: line leader for a day, extra computer time
- Snacks: fruit gummies, popcorn, granola bar
Read each example aloud and ask the student if they’ve tried or like any of these. Prompt them to add or modify examples on their worksheet based on personal interests.
Design Your Menu
- Choose your top 8 rewards.
- Classify them as Small, Medium, or Large.
- Decide how many points each will cost.
Use the My Reward Menu Worksheet to record your menu.
Guide the student through completing their reward menu. Discuss fairness and achievability of point costs. Provide suggestions as needed.
Tracking & Earning
We’ll use the Behavior & Reward Tracker Rubric to:
- Log target behaviors
- Track points earned
- Redeem rewards when ready
Let’s practice filling in one example row together!
Demonstrate how to fill one row of the tracker with a sample behavior (e.g., “completed homework on time”) and a small reward. Check the student’s understanding.
Next Steps
Great job today!
• Restate your favorite reward and how you’ll earn it.
• Our next check-in will be on _______ to review progress.
Keep this menu handy and start earning points!
Summarize key takeaways. Ask the student to verbalize one reward and the cost. Confirm the date for the next check-in. End on a positive note with praise.
Worksheet
My Reward Menu
Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________
1. Explore Your Interests
Write your favorites in each category:
Toys & Trinkets:
Games & Activities:
Privileges & Breaks:
Treats & Snacks:
2. Top 8 Rewards
List your top 8 favorite rewards:
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
3. Design Your Menu
For each reward, decide its tier and point cost.
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
- Reward: ____________________ Tier (S/M/L): ___ Points: ___
Rubric
Behavior & Reward Tracker Rubric
Use this rubric to guide and assess your use of the tracker when logging target behaviors, recording points, and redeeming rewards. Aim for a consistent, accurate, and timely record of your progress!
Scoring Guide
4 – Exemplary: Consistently exceeds expectations
3 – Proficient: Meets expectations most of the time
2 – Developing: Shows some progress but needs improvement
1 – Beginning: Rarely meets expectations; significant support needed
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behavior Logging | Logs every target behavior with date and clear details daily. | Logs most behaviors with date and basic details. | Logs some behaviors; dates or details are missing. | Rarely logs behaviors; entries are incomplete or absent. |
| Accuracy of Points | Calculates and records points earned correctly each time. | Records points correctly most of the time. | Makes occasional errors in point calculations. | Frequently miscalculates or omits point entries. |
| Timeliness | Updates the tracker immediately after each target behavior. | Updates within the same day, with few delays. | Often delays entries by more than a day. | Rarely updates the tracker in a timely manner. |
| Reward Redemption & Notes | Redeems rewards exactly at the agreed point thresholds; logs date & brief reflection (e.g., “Felt proud!”). | Redeems appropriately and logs date; notes may be brief or missing. | Attempts to redeem but point totals are sometimes off; notes incomplete. | Redeems without following point structure or fails to log redemptions. |
| Consistency of Use | Uses the tracker every session and reviews progress regularly. | Uses tracker most sessions and checks weekly. | Uses tracker intermittently; reviews progress infrequently. | Rarely uses the tracker or reviews progress. |
Next Steps:
• Review your rubric scores at each check-in.
• Identify one area to improve before our next session.
• Keep this rubric attached to your Behavior & Reward Tracker and refer to it often!